Day 1 – Flight Santiago – Copiapó – Bahia Inglesa

Be met at Copiapó airport by the support crew and staff.  Overnight in bungalows on the coast in Copiapó.  Lunch and dinner (own account) is done at the little restaurants on the coast.  15 minute drive from the airport.

Day 2 – Copiapó – Pedernales Salt Flat (3,400m)

We start driving east towards the Altipiano, passing by El Salvador mining town, located at 2300m, where we stop for lunch.  In the afternoon we keep driving towards the mountains and by 5pm we reach Pedernales salt flat, where we set up our camp in the nearest of and ancient mining camp.  We are now in the middle of the Chilean high plateau, the southernmost part of the Atacama Desert and home to a great diversity of wildlife such as flamingos and foxes.  In the evening, we take a short walk to the nearby lagoon where we see local flora and fauna and a large variety of birds.

Day 3 – Salar De Pedernales – Summit Doňa Inės (5,095m) – Salar De Pedernales

From Salar de Pedernales we drive 1, 5 hours heading Doňa Inės.  We arrive to the climb departure point, at 4,400m and from there the ascent will take 3 – 4 hours to summit.  We need 2 hours to come back to the car.

Important Note:

Depending on how the team is feeling it would be possible to do just a hike at 4,500m instead of climbing the summit, but it would be recommended to try the summit in order to improve the acclimatisation process.  There is not much risk of altitude problems since the group will go back to sleep to 3,400m.

Day 4 – Salar De – Laguna Verde (4,328m)

A three hours’ drive through an incredible landscape leads us to Laguna Verde (4,328m), at the foothill of Cerro Mulas Mueritas and surrounded by 6000 meter peaks.  There we set up our second camp.

Day 5 – Laguna Verde (4,328m)

Laguna Verde is a big salt lake, surrounded by the desert and high mountains and we set up camp near the lake.  We have a rest day here at 4,328m and whoever is motivated can go for an easy walk around the lake or take a thermal bath in the hot springs.  Opportunity for a swim in Laguna Verde.

Day 6 – Laguna Verde – San Francisco Summit (6,018m) – Laguna Verde

One hour transfer by 4 x 4 to the base of the volcano and full day climbing it to the top by the Chilean side.  6 – 7 hours to the summit and 3 hours back to the vehicles.

Important Note:

The members will be able to decide to rest in Laguna Verde or just do and easy hike instead of engaging for the summit depending on how they feel at the moment.  Most likely some will decide to summit this smaller peak and some will prefer to stay in the base camp, both alternatives are good since the time an individual needs to acclimatise to the high altitude is a personal feature and cannot be accelerated or disregarded.

Day 7 – Laguna Verde – Atacama Refuge (5,300m)

We leave Laguna Verde and head north.  We gain altitude very quickly as we cross sand flats, steep rocks and sometimes snow covered slopes.  We arrive at the Atacama refuge (5,300m) where we set up our base camp.  The day is spent at rest, hydrating and relaxing.

Day 8 – Atacama Refuge (Base Camp) – Tejos Refuge (Camp1) (5,850m) – Atacama Refuge

Easy hike without loads to Tejos hut.  This hike is part of our acclimatisation in order to maximise our chances of reaching the summit (6,893m).

Important Note:

In case the road to Tejos is not accessible to the vehicles because of the snow the members will have to carry food and equipment to Tejos.

Day 9 – Atacama Refuge – Tejos Refuge (Camp1) 6,000m)

Today we move up to Camp 1.  It is a short day we arrive early to get hydrated, eat and rest for the summit day.

Important Note:

In case the road to Tejos is not accessible to the vehicle because of the snow the members will have to carry food and equipment to Tejos.

Day 10 – Tejos Refuge – Ojos Summit (6,893m) Tejos Refuge

The departure time depends on the temperature and cannot be fixed in advance, the group will decided with support of guides at what time to start today, according to the temperatures and winds of the day.  Generally a departure at 4am would be ok when attempting the summit.  Return to Tejos or to Base Camp for the night.

Day 11 – Reserve Day

Can be used as an extra acclimatisation day if needed or rest day or just reserve day in case of bad weather.

Day 12 – Refugio Tejos – Refugio Atacama – Copiapó

We dismantle base camp, organise the gear, pack the equipment and load the cars.  Then we drive back to Copiapó, 6 hours.

Day 13 – Copiapó – Santiago

Transfer to Copiapó airport and end of our services.  Connection with international flight.

* Itinerary subject to change at any time due to weather.